DysChick
Don't Try to Divide We

The Question of the Essequibo

On December 3rd, Venezuela will hold a referendum to decide whether to formally claim Essequibo, a region long disputed with Guyana, as a Venezuelan state. Should they decide to move forward with the claim, Guyana would lose over 70% of its territory, much of which has been the source of the nation’s newfound wealth.

Don't Try to Divide We
DysChick
I Takin' A Mental Day

New Year, More Naps

Hello and Happy 2023!

I can’t believe how much happened in 2022. We came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mia Mottley secured a second 5-year term as Prime Minister of Barbados, Russia started a war with Ukraine, and Herschel Walker lost the Georgia election - but so did Stacey Abrams. You know, yin… yan.  The same was true for DysChick. Despite personal tragedies, I was able to be outside like garb – nope.  I refuse to make that a phrase.

So what’s my plan for 2023? Rest.

I Takin' A Mental Day
DysChick
Anything wey you do, dem must commentate

Tipsy in Miami

If you’ve been following DysChick, you know that I have a fear of flying; however, I have a greater fear of missing out on an epic event. Tipsy in Miami announced that it would feature the King of Soca and the King of Afrobeats and the FOMO was just too real.

Machel Montano has been making the rounds this year promoting his brand, encouraging nations to “Save the Soil,” and making sure that you know he is still the King of Soca after 40 years in the business. Burna Boy is the most popular Afrobeats artiste right now with his hit single “Last Last” reaching over 6 million streams on Spotify.

With these two heavyweights on the bill, you know DysChick had to fly to fete! Yet despite having the top artistes, the event was not E-P-I-C.

Anything wey you do, dem must commentate
DysChick
For All of the Women of the World

We Need NOW Now!

So let's recap America’s first six months of 2022:

Are we great yet? No? Okay, how about this, we just decided to revoke a woman’s right to chose when and if she wants to become a mother.

For All of the Women of the World
DysChick
It's All About the High Life

Is Machel working with a godman or a conman?

We released our second episode of Season 6 of the Rant and Rave podcast. In this episode we talk about Machel Montano and Indian super yogi Sadhguru’s campaign to “Save the Soil.” The campaign has already resulted in six Caribbean nations (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, and Barbados) signing the Memorandum of Understanding and pledging to adopt long-term policy to safeguard soil and promote ecologically-friendly initiatives. We RANT about what this means for Caribbean tourism, the economy, and what we can do to reverse the climate crisis. But who is Sadhguru?

It's All About the High Life

parade

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Ah Fed Up!

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Ah Fed Up!

My Feteless Summer

Brooklynites are likely still coming to grips with the summer of disappointments. Carnivals were cancelled, we were on lockdown, and Labor Day was just another holiday. While many were willing to deal with fete withdrawal, some promoters still found a way to put on events that were purported to offer reprieve from our quarantine doldrums. As a fete junkie, I found myself hesitant to purchase tickets to events that would either be sparse or possibly get shut down for not complying with city mandates. While I’m glad I saved my money after seeing what the more unscrupulous promoters offered, there were actually some events that I regret missing.

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Have No Place to Call We Own

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Have No Place to Call We Own

“RANT AND RAVE” - BROOKLYN VENUES EDITION

First, let me say thank you to everyone who attended the final event in our Rant and Rave Summer Chat Series. This was the final installment and covered our most controversial topic to date: Brooklyn’s Caribbean Nightlife. SocaSaySo and I worked hard to find just the right people with whom we can have this discussion… and did we found them!

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We Come Out to Rant and Rave

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We Come Out to Rant and Rave

“RANT AND RAVE” - 5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT WIADCA

Didn’t make it to DysChick & SocaSaySo’s “Rant and Rave” event on May 22nd? Well, you missed out on a great discussion with members of Brooklyn’s carnival association WIADCA. Panelists Angela Sealy (Chairperson), Rhea Smith (Cultural Diversity Professional and WIADCA member), and DJ Spice (Teamsoca Founder and WIADCA member) were on hand to answer pressing questions from the community, bloggers and journalists.

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WIADCA, We Need To Talk

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WIADCA, We Need To Talk

Oh WIADCA, what will it take?

The West Indian American Day Carnival Association (say that three times fast) is responsible for producing events throughout the summer that showcase our culture, culminating in the annual Labor Day parade in Brooklyn.  However, this year, it was glaringly obvious that many Brooklynites have chosen to avoid the celebration and are, in fact, questioning whether or not WIADCA needs to be dismantled.

Since the Association refuses to engage with anyone, let me anticipate their objections.

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It's Carnival. Look Bacchanal

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It's Carnival. Look Bacchanal

Brooklyn's J'Ouvert and Labor Day Parade

It's been one week since Labor Day. A day where West Indians celebrate the culture and pageantry of the Caribbean with festivities throughout the long weekend culminating in a parade along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. However, this day was full of disappointments and tragedy.  The predawn j'ouvert street party was once again marred by violence and the annual parade was a lackluster crawl.

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True Masqueraders

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True Masqueraders

Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana)

I have been to Toronto many times for many reasons, but my favorite reason for venturing to T-Dot is Toronto's Caribbean Carnival (better known as Caribana).  This year, I resolved to not only sit on the sidelines and watch the parade from behind a giant fence, but to don the revealing costume and play mas. 

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Me Two Hand in the Air

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Me Two Hand in the Air

Long Island Carnival 

“This should probably only take about three hours.  There are only two mas bands on the road, so I’m sure I will be back home by 5pm.”  I had to eat those words when I returned home close to midnight on September 7th after attending Long Island Carnival.  Why did I even bother to go?  Well, as Brooklyn Carnival was just one week prior, I still had the carnival jumbie in me and Long Island Carnival offered a quick fix.

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I Find Mehself in A Jouvay Band

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I Find Mehself in A Jouvay Band

Boston Carnival

The last time I attempted to experience the Carnival, Hurricane Irene blew through the east coast and forced me to return to New York prior to the parade.  I took that as a sign.  Two years later, I made a second attempt.  Luckily, the air was cool and sunny skies blanketed the massive festival that began at 5am with j’ouvert and ended some twelve hours later.  Fine.  I am converted.  Boston Carnival, ah comin’ again!